This is a great time of the year. No matter what the issues or the concerns, we always find a way to put them aside and enjoy the holiday season.

Given what we know now, it is especially important that we come together and maximize the good feelings generated by this special time of the year.

Yes, the economy is hurting. It seems like the year we just had was about as bad as it gets. Our real estate values have fallen and whatever investments we did have at the start of the year are now a former shadow of their previous values.

Yet, given all that has occurred this year financially, we still can’t be sure if the past year is actually the good news or the bad news.

The next year is reportedly going to be very bad also. We still expect more serious fallout from the housing market. Foreclosure counts are expected to grow as many more of the non-conventional mortgages that are still out there mature. When they do come due, the owners will need to refinance. The homes they own will be worth less than the balances they owe. That will make for some challenging times.

It seems that our government leaders in Washington are now also trying to be the world’s largest investment bank. So far it appears that the theory used down there is that if we save the nation’s businesses, then “we the people” will be OK.

I’m not so sure that approach will prove to be very sound. The housing market and the affiliated mortgage world seem to be the original culprits. Yet, so far, the government is either too overwhelmed or too ignorant to do battle with this economic demon.

Our leaders can’t agree on how to help the car companies. That is painfully obvious. Thus far, their work on the banks and insurance companies has been horrible at best. The government’s performance bonus check is not yet in the mail from me.

How is it that these same leaders can agree that average folks with mortgage issues don’t justify a bail out of their own? If you ever you see our Congressman or Senators in the neighborhood, perhaps you can ask them why no help has come forth from our federal government for the large number of small debtors out there with mortgage issues.

So, yes, there is bad news both behind us and before us. There is fear and uncertainty everywhere we look. The times ahead will be trying and at best challenging. The federal government is fast at work on the problems they helped create.

The state government is also in a defensive mode. They will be cutting and minimizing their services and programs. We will be left with less personal resources to meet the demands from our governments for more.

The bulk of our quality of life is determined locally. Our public safety, education and the quality of our daily lives are generally still within our control. Our local government is not immune to the fallout from the economy. However, our way of life is not that dependant on federal and state organizations. So let’s not lose sight of how much we have and what we can do together.

Let’s forget about the woes of the economy and let’s also forget about the fools fumbling around in Washington and Boston. Let’s just enjoy our family, friends and neighbors for the next few weeks.

Then, once we have enjoyed the good life that we can always find in those we love, let’s roll up our sleeves and get through this next year with hard work and good will toward our fellow citizens.